'Day of Dead' event set for WheatonArts

From staff reportsMILLVILLE -- The Down Jersey Folklife Center at WheatonArts and Cultural Center will host a "Day of the Dead Celebration," Oct. 28, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Event Center. This is a free event for visitors.

The event is in honor of one of the most important holidays of the Mexican community -- the Day of the Dead. Families erect an altar and decorate it with items meant to appeal to the loved ones, sometimes strewing flower petals along a path from the street to the altar so as to guide the returning soul home.

Decorations include not only offerings of flowers and food, but also things that remind the living of the departed: photographs, a diploma, an article of clothing.

A favorite item is a "bread of the dead," shaped like a body or a skeleton. Day of the Dead altars will be set up by the performing groups and by La Oaxaquena Restaurant in the Event Center.

The program schedule:

-- 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. - La Guelaguetza Dance Group from Bridgeton. Performance will include traditional dances from Oaxaca, Jalisco and Chiapas.

-- 3:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Jennifer Ortiz and Jonatan Caballero from Vineland. Performance will include traditional dances from the region of Itsmo, Oaxaca.

-- A Dance Party for the audience with Master of Ceremony Ramon Hernandez.

-- 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Los Angeles de la Cumbia from Bridgeton.

-- 5:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. - Pedro Marroquin (Guitar) from Vineland.

-- 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Banda La Morena from Vineland. Their repertoire includes different Mexican music styles such as musica nortena, musica grupera and sonivera, baladas and rancheras.

Authentic Mexican food will be provided for the audience by La Oaxaquena Restaurant located in Vineland. For information, call the Down Jersey Folklife Center at (856) 825-6800 or 1-800-998-4552, ext. 131 or 132, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.